Doctor says friends saved Indiana player's life

Associated PressPublished: March 22, 2014 4:00AM

Associated Press

COLLEGE

Doctor says friends saved player's life

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Doctors credited the friends of Indiana receiver Isaac Griffith with saving his life and preserving his quality of life with their quick action to pull the 19-year-old out of a rip current earlier this week at Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla.

Dr. Kenneth Hurwitz told reporters Friday during the latest medical update that Griffith's friends put themselves at great risk when Griffith got caught in the strong current. They then performed CPR until the paramedics arrive.

In the latest medical update from Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Hurwitz said was out of immediate danger but that he is not "out of the woods yet." He is expected to make a full recovery and remains in serious but stable condition.

Obama predicts UConn to win women's tourney

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is predicting a repeat championship for Connecticut in the NCAA women's basketball tournament.

Obama's women's bracket was revealed in an ESPN segment Friday, the eve of the tournament's start.

He is putting two undefeated teams, Connecticut and Notre Dame, in the April 8th final. He has Stanford and Louisville rounding out the Final Four.

Obama says he knows it gets boring to keep picking Connecticut. But he predicts he'll be hosting the Huskies at the White House once again.

BASEBALL

Tigers relief pitcher to miss season

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Detroit Tigers reliever Bruce Rondon needs surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow and will be sidelined for the entire season.

A candidate to become Detroit's eighth-inning setup man, Rondon felt discomfort Monday after pitching a scoreless inning against Washington the previous day.

Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski said Friday that Rondon was examined Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews, and an MRI revealed the tear. Dombrowski said the 23-year-old will have surgery next week.

Rondon becomes the latest pitcher hurt during spring training and headed to Tommy John surgery, following Atlanta's Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy, and Oakland's Jarrod Parker. Arizona's Patrick Corbin also may need the procedure.

Rondon was 1-2 with a 3.45 ERA as a rookie last year, striking out 30 in 282⁄3 innings, and he had a 1.29 ERA in seven spring training games this year.

The AL Central champions dealt for Romine on Friday, a day after they learned Iglesias could miss the season because of stress fractures in both legs.

Romine, 28, played in 47 games for the Angels last season and batted .259. He is considered a good defensive player and stole 15 bases in 89 minor league games last year. General manager Dave Dombrowski expects the left-handed hitter to share time at shortstop with either Hernan Perez or Danny Worth.

FOOTBALL

Raiders finalize deal with Woodson

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Safety Charles Woodson has officially signed a one-year contract to remain with the Oakland Raiders.

Woodson returned to his original NFL team last season after spending the previous seven years with Green Bay. The 37-year-old Woodson started all 16 games for the Raiders and had one interception, two sacks, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

GOLF

Adam Scott ties low 36 at Palmer Inv.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Adam Scott keeps putting his name in the Bay Hill record book, each round moving him closer to another handshake with The King.

One day after Scott opened with a record-tying 62 in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he hit his stride around the turn Friday with five birdies in an eight-hole stretch to leave everyone else far behind. Even with a three-putt bogey on his final hole, Scott still shot a 4-under 68 and had a seven-shot lead.

He was at 14-under 130, matching the 36-hole record at Bay Hill first set by Tom Watson and Andy Bean in 1981.